Cameron, Abbas meet in London over Palestine-Israel peace talks

British Prime Minister David Cameron (R) meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in London on May 14, 2014. (Xinhua/Pool)

LONDON, May 14 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at Downing Street to discuss the Palestine-Israel peace process.

"President Abbas outlined his plans for a new, technocratic Palestinian Government, committed to the Quartet principles, including non-violence and the recognition of Israel," a Downing Street spokesperson said in a statement following the meeting.

Abbas also expressed his readiness to resume peace talks with Israel and his hope that this could be achieved rapidly, the spokesperson noted.

Cameron urged progress towards securing the rapid resumption of peace talks, which remain "the only viable route to a lasting solution."

"The Prime Minister reiterated our support for a two-state solution and the UK's support to the Palestinian Authority," the spokesperson added.

Cameron also expressed his desire to build on the economic progress in the Palestinian territories, particularly in the West Bank, according to the statement.

A meeting between Abbas and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is also scheduled on Thursday in London to evaluate the course of the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs Riad al-Maleki said Tuesday.

Abbas and Kerry are expected to talk about the reasons that led to the failure of the peace talks and discuss the possibility of resuming peace negotiations, al-Maleki added.

Israel suspended the U.S.-mediated peace negotiations with the Palestinians five days before they officially ended in response to the reconciliation agreement signed on April 23 between Abbas's Fatah party and Hamas rulers of Gaza.

Following the signing of the reconciliation deal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will not negotiate with any Palestinian government unless it recognizes the state of Israel.